Engine starter



April 2,l 1929. w. L. McGRATH 1,707,488

ENGINE STARTER Original Filed Feb. 28, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 2, 1929. w. L. MCGRATH 1,707,488

` ENGINE STARTER Original Filed Feb. 28, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 29 1929., w. LIMcGRAm L707348 ENGINE STARTER Original Filed Feb. 28. 192l 5 Sheets-Shes?v9 3 Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITEDI STATES 1,701,488 PATENT OFFICE.,

WILLIAM L. MOGRATH, F ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO EOLIPSE MACHINE COH- I CPANY, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0I' NEW YORK.

ENGINE STARTER.

Application filed February 28, 1921,' Serial No. 448,298. Renewed August 2, 1928.

My invention has relation to a starter for an engine such as an internal combustion engine and the same pertains more particularly to the drive or transmission of a starter system for operatively connecting the prime mover such as an electric motor with a member of the engine to be started such as the flywheel thereof,

The object of my invention is toprovide an efficient and reliable drive or transmission capable of being manually operated for engagement with the engine member, characterized by the provision of a two part driving member mounted on a rotatable shaft, one of said l5 parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the other part being movable longitudinally on such shaft for engagement with a member of the engine' to be started. Such drive, in its present embodiment, is further characterized bythe provision of means such as manually operated means, for acting upon the said two parts for moving them longitudnally successively into their operating position,l theelectrical con-v tact being thereafter made. y

Other novel and advantageous-features of construction and mode of operation will be apparent from the description hereinafterl wheely 13 with whose teeth V14 the inion 12 given. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a starter equipment including my drive or transmission; Fig. 2 a detail view of the manual or pedal operative means; Fig). 3

a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1

illustrating the operating position `of the parts; Fig. 4 an end elevation partly in section of said equipment; Figa, 6, Tand 8 transfer sections on the corresponding section lines of Fig. 1, and Fig. 9 a sectional elevation on the line 9-9 of FigQB.`

In the present instance I haveshown one" of a number of embodiments of my invention f.

particularly in the broader aspect thereof and for the sake of a clear and definite description r of my invention I shall'describe the details of such embodiment without intention of limit-'- ing myself thereto. Moreoverywhile'vthe drive may be operated manually or pedally it, will he understood that for a convenience I,v shall use the term manually as a generic one to cover pedal operation as well. Further-f more, my invntionis applicabler to the direct type of drive equally with the ind herein lshown and describ'edfl -f The prime mover is here'an electric start- .same is held in its normal disengaged poses. Thisring is mounted ong-the pinion Vhub for alimited combined longitudinal and angular1 novement which -isjliereobtained by y irect type the ring.l. Y. gag vinegar-#19e.aliene-Pirat@ Show 11 partez one or orepins-'dbe ing motor indicated at 1 andprovided with an armature shaft 2, to whose outer end there is secured a pinion 3. This shaft has its bearing in end plate 4.- secured in suitable manner to the motor and having attached thereto as' by means ofthe bolts 5 a casing 6 which acts both as a housing and a support for the drive and its operating parts.

The pinion 3 meshes with a gear 7 which is l preferably although not necessarily of the free-wheel type, that is,l the same is provided witli an over-running clutch which ma be of any conventional form. This gear w eel is; secured in suitable manner as by'means ofthe key 8 to a rotatable shaft 9 having bearings 10 and 11 in the plate LLand casing 6 respectively. l i

The driving member which is mounted upon the shaft 9 is made in two parts, to wit, a driving member proper which is here in the form of a inion vand an actuating partwhichv is adapted) toy be operatively engaged with such inion after the latter has been placed in driving relation with the engine member or flywheel. f

Tliedriving member proper which is in the form of a pinion'lQ-is adapted to.engage 'and rotate the engine member sucht-'fas the ilymeshes.v This pinion `basa smoot central bore and is mounted for free llongitudinal and rotary movements on the shaft 9 and the ition shown in Fig. 1 lboth by the manual y operated means hereinafter'describe'd and also by the coiledl Spring 15 interposed vbetween the abutment 16 toward' the outer end of the shaft and thev pinion which is provided Awith a coun-' terbor'e 17 to accomirfiodate such spring and to contain the saine when the pinion is in operat ingfposition` as shown in Fig. 3.

` .The pinion is provided with a hub or extension 18 upon whose inner end there is mounted fa flanged shipper-ring 19 adapted to cooperate with the manually operated means hereinafter described and also to co-4 operate with the pinion huby s0 as to cause a slight rotation of the pinion `for meshing pur;-

'tweenslaid the -pin 'and'fslot :connectie provided in extending inriav fto en e in 9. The ring thus has a limited spiral movement on the hub which movement outwardly toward the pinion proper is yieldinglyresisted by the coiledspring 22 interposed l,between the pinion body and the ring. The

inner face of the flange 23 of the ring is provided with a series of scallops 24 adapted to be engaged by the manually operated means in the manner and for the purpose herein- -later explained. x

The second or actuating partof thc driving member is here in the form of a sleeve 25 Lwhich is connected with the shaft 9 for longitudinal movement thereon and for positive 154 rotary movement therewith. In the present instance this mounting of the sleeve is through grooves and splines, the splines `on the shaft being indicated at 26 and the grooves in the sleeve being indicated at 27.y 90 Upon this sleeve there is mounted a shipperring 28 capable of a longitudinal movement on the sleeve againstthe tension of a spring 29 and limited in its inward movement by the ring 30 secured to the inner end ,of such sleeve. This ring 28 is adapted to cooperate with the manual operating means in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The two parts of the driving member are adapted to be operatively engaged with each other at the proper time and in suitable manner. In the present instance this operative engagement is brought about through the mediumof a clutch which is here in the form of complementary clutch jaws 31 and 32 provided on the adjacent ends of the pinion hub 18 and sleeve 25 respectively. Normally these clutch jaws are out of engagement but are'adapted to be brought into engagement by outward movement of the sleeve after the pinion -12 has been brought into engagement with the flywheel.

Referring to the manually operating means as herein shown, the same is so constructed as to operate successively upon the two parts vof the driving member that is, the pinion 12 and the actuating sleeve 25. Such operating means is provided with the additional function of subsequently actuating the switch of the motor for supplying current thereto. As a result the pinion is first brought into eni gagement with the flywheel, the actuating sleeve is then brought into operative engagement with the pinion and then the motor is operated for the starting of the engine.

erating means herein shown. a main lever 33 is pivoted intermediate its length upon the cross pin 34 which is mounted in the parallel bracket arms 35. This main lever is in the form of a bell crank with its lower arm pivotedly connected to the inner adjacent ends of 'two links 36 and 37. The shorter link 37 is provided with a longitudinal slot 38 in which slides a stud 39. This stud is secured to a sleeve 40 adapted to slide upon a stationary Referring to the details of the manual op-` shaft 41 mounted at its ends in the casing 6. This sleeve is provided with a depending yoke 42 straddling the drive proper and having inturned projections 43 adapted to engage the shipper-ring 19.

The other link 36 is provided with a longitudinal slot 44 in which travels the stud 45 secured in a second sleeve 46 also mounted to slide longitudinally on the shaft 41. This sleeve is provided with a similar yoke 47l straddling the Idrive proper and having inturned projections 48 similar to the projections 43 and coperating with the shipperring 28.

The lever 33 is operatively connected with any plunger or linkage ior operation by hand or foot. In the present instance the same iS ada ted to be actuated by the plunger 49 eX- tenc ing through a bearing bracket 50 in the loorboard 51 of an automobile or the like and pivotally connected at its lower end with the upper end of the lever 33. This upper or free end ol the lever 33 is provided with an adjustable screw 52 adapted to contact and operate the switch button 53 of the switch 54 of the motor. j

The parts composing the manual operating means are held in the normal position shown in Fig. l in yielding manner as by means of the spring 55 cooperating with the 95 lever 33 and also the coiled spring 56 arranged in the path of outward movement of the sleeve 40 and tending to resist such movement.

The parts including the links 36 and 37 100 and their slots 38 and 44 are so made and proportioned that the initial movement of oscillation of the main lever 33 will cause the outward longitudinal movement of the pinion 12 and its meshing with the flywheel. -It will be noted that when the parts are in the normal position shown in Fig. 1 the inner end of the slot 38 is substantially in contact with the stud 39 so that the initial movement of the lever will be imparted at once to the sleeve 40 and yoke 42 and to the pinion 12 whereupon the latter will be moved longitudinally to lthe right into mesh with the tlv.- wheel. During this initial movement of the main lever there will be no movement of the sleeve 46 or of thesleeve 25 inasmuch as the length of the slot 44 must be taken up before the inner end of such slot can come into contact with the stud 45 and thereupon shift the sleeves 46 and 25.

After the pinion has been placed in mesh with the ywheel and the inner end of the slot has'come into contact with the stud 45 the sleeve 46 will thereupon be moved longitudinally to the right, carrying with it the sleeve 25 through the medium of the shipperring 28 which is yieldingly connected with the latter sleeve through the spring 29. The clutch jaws of the sleeve 25 will now be placed into engagement with the clutch jaws of the Y l of the shaft.

iever the pinion will be disengaged from the fiywheel and the parts will resume their normal position shown in Fig. 1 by m`eans of the springs and 56 as well as the spring 15.

In the event that the vpinion teeth and flywheel teeth should abut end to end the con-v tinued oscillation of the main lever 33 will transmit a pressure upon the shipper-ring 19 tending to move it longitudinally to, the right against the tension. of the spring22 and by reason of the provision of the pin and inclined slot connection vbetween such ring and the pinion hub, and as the projections 43 willengage the scallops 24 thus preventing rotation of the ring 19, the pinion hub and its pinion will be caused to slightly :rotate and thereby bring about proper registerbe# tween the pinion teeth and the flywheel teeth. Thus meshing is obtained by continued movebent of the main lever without necessity of releasing the pressure on this lever -and starting operation over again.

'In case the operator should not release his pressure on the main lever after the engine has started on its own power, no injury will result to the parts even though the pinion 12 is rapidly rotated by theflywheel. I prefer to use a free-wheel 7 inasmuch as' under theccudition just explained there might be la ever this free-,wheel is not essential and may be dispensed with.

1. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a two part drivingr member having longitudinal movement thereon and comprising a pinion loosely mounted on the shaft, a sleeve mounted on the shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, said pinion and sleeve having` cooperating clutch members, and means acting onthe pinion andsleeve separately and successively for moving them longitudinally 2. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a two part driving member having longitudinal movementthereon and vcomprising a pinion loosely'mounted on the shaft, a sleeve splined on the shaftfor rotary I movement therewith and longitudinal move- 'ment thereof, said pinion land sleeve having cooperating clutch members, and means acting on the pinion and sleeve separately and successively for moving them longitudinally of the shaft'. 1

3. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted "thereon for longitudinal movement to engage a member of the engine to be started, an actuating member' also mounted on the shaft' for longitudinal movement and adapted to control the movement of the driving member rotarily with the shaft, such actuating member being operatively connected with the shaft for rotation therewith, and means acting upon the driving member and the actuating member for moving them longitudinally separately and successively into operative engagement with each other. v

4. Anengine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, av driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement to engage a member of the engine to be started, an actuating member also mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement and adapted to contro the movement of the driving .member rotarilyl with the shaft, such actuating member being operatively connected with the shaft for rotation therewith, anda single actuating means manually operated and acting upon the driving member and the actuating member for moving them longitudinally successively other.

5. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement to engage a member of the engine to be started, an actuating member also mounted on the shaft for into operative engagement with each longitudinal movement and adapted to conlll) ating member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and for rotary movement therewith, said drivingv` member and actuating member ,having cooperating clutch members for transmission of torque to the driving member, and means acting upon the driving member and the actuating member for moving them longitudinallysepw `rately and su'ccesslvely into operative engagement with each other. v

7. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement to engage a member `of theengine to be started, an actuating member also mounted on'l the lshaft for longitudinal movement* and adaptedto control the movement of thedriving member` rotarily with the shaft, such actuating member being operatively connected with the shaft for rotation therewith, and means acting upon the driving member and the actuating member for moving them longitudinally successively, said means consisting'of two yokes acting on the driving member and the actuating member respectively, an operating lever and successively acting connections between the lever and yolres.

. 8. A n enginestarter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement to engage a member of the engine to be started, an actuating member also mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement and adapted to controly the movement ot the driving member rotarily with the shaft, such actuating member being operatively connected with the shaft for rotation therewith, and means acting upon the driving member and the actu? ating member `for moving them longitudinaln ly successively, said means consisting of two ,yokes acting on the driving member and the ber being operatively connected with the shaft for rotation therewith, and means acting upon the driving member and the actuating member for moving them longitudinal-` ly successively, said means consisting of two yokes acting on the driving member and the actuating member respectively,an operating lever, projections on said yokes, and links pivotally connected with the lever and having slots cooperating with said projections to cause successive action ot said yolres.

10. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, `a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement to engage a member of the engine to be started, an actuating member also mounted on the shaft for longitudinal -movement and adapted to controlthe movement `ot the driving member rotarily with the shaft, such actuating member being operatively connected with the shaft for rotation therewith, means for yieldingly resisting the longitudinal movement of the actuating member, and means acting upon the driving member and thev actuating member for moving them longitudinally sepa-y rately and successively into operative engage- 'ment with each other; f

11, An engine starter drive includin in comlnnationv with a starting motor an its montes switch and with. a Gear on the engine to be started, a pinion a apted to be shifted intonormally disconnected, the' rst of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member' of the engine to be started, saidyirst part being manually shiftable into operative engagement with sai-d second part after the latter has engaged the engine member.

13. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, atwo-part driving member whose two parts are mounted :tor independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having co operating engaging driving means which are normally disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally onthe shaft for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and adapted to transmit the torque of the shaft to said engine member, said second part having a yielding longitudinal movement and having a portion which is.

ada ted to drivingly engage said first part,

sai first part being manually shiftable into operative engagement with said second part tter the latter has engaged the engine mem- '14. An en ine starter drive including a rotatable sha t, a two-part driving member whose two parts are mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having i cooperating engaging driving means which are normally disconnected, the rstpofsaid parts being connected with theshaft for rotary movement therewith and the second be# ing movable longitudinally onv the shaft for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, the adjacent faces of the two parts beinuprovided respectively with cooperating dlutch members, said iirstdpart being manually shiftable into operative engagement with said second part after the latter has engaged the engine member.

15. An engine starter drive includino a rotatable shaft, a two-part driving member whose two parts are mounted forindependent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said twol parts having cooperating engaging driving means which are mey normally disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, the adjacent faces of the two parts being provided respectively with cooperatingv clutch members, and yielding means forv resistingsaid longitudinal movementof said second part, said first part being manuall shiftable into operative engagement wit said second part after the latter has engaged the engine member. p 16. An engine starter drive inclu-ding a rotatable shaft, a two-part driving member whose two parts are mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having cooperating engaging driving means which are normally disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, the adjacent faces of the two parts bein provided respectively with cooperating clutc members, said second part being spring-pressed to normal position, said first part being manually shiftable into operative engagement with said second part after the latter has engaged the engine member.

17. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a two-part driving member whose two parts are mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having cooperating engaging driving means which are normally disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinall on the'shaft for engagement with a mem r of the engine to be started, said first part being splined to the shaft and said second part being loosely mounted thereon, saidfirst part being manually shiftable into operative enga ement with .said second part after the latter as engaged the engine member.

18. An engine starter drive includinga rotatable shaft, a two-part driving member whose two parts are mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having cooperating en aging driving means which are normally disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, said second part including a shipper device connected therewith for limited rotary movement, one with respect to the other, and operatin means connected with said device and with said first one of said parts.

19. An engine starter drive includ' a rotatable shaft, a two-part drivin mem r E movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement witha member of the engine to be started, said second part being provided with a" shipper device connected therewith for rotary movement by pin and inclined slot connection, and operating means connected with said device and with said first one of said parts. y

20. tatable shaft, a two-part driving member whose two parts aremounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts havin cooperating engaging driving means whic are normally disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for An engine starter drive including a ros engagement with a member of the engine to be started, sald second part being provided with respect to the other, said two parts4 having cooperating engaging driving means which are normally isconnected, the first 'of said parts vbeing connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member of -the engine to be started, said first part being provided with a shi per-ring mounted to slide longitudinally t ereon, yieldin means tending to resistsuch movement of t e r' g and operating means connected with said ring. Y e

22. An engine starter drive ncludin a rotatable shaft, 'a two-part driving mem er whose two parts are mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having n cooperatin engaging drivin means which are norma ly disconnected, t erst o f Said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member of the` en e to be started, said parts being each provided y ygage each other and which comprise a pinion loosely mounted on the shaft and having hub, a shipper ring movably mounted on said hub, a sleeve mounted on the shaft-for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, a shipper-ring movably mounton said sleeve, and means acting on said rings successively for shifting them and the pinion and sleeve longitudinally.

24. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a two-part driving member whose two parts are adapted to drivingly engage each other and which comprise a pinion loosely mounted on the shaft'and having a hub, a shipper ring movably mounted on said hub, a sleeve mounted on the shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, a shipper ring movably mounted on said sleeve, and Jmeans acting on said rings successively for shifting them and the I inion and sleeve longitudinally, said rings aving a yielding longitudinal movement with respect to the hub and sleeve respectively. A

25. An en ine starter drive including a rotatable sha t, a two-part driving member lwhose two parts are whose two parts are mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having cooperating engaging driving means which are'normally disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movablelon'gitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member of the engine to be startedand the first being positively movable longitudinally on the shaft to operatively engage said second part, in combination with a motor, and operating connections between the'motor and the engine member including a connection for driving in the forward direction of rotation only.

26. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a two-part driving member mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having cooperatin engaging drivin means which are norma 1y disconnected, t e iir'st of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member. of the engine to be st arted and the first bein positively movable longitudinally on the saft -to operatively engage said second .parlay in combination with a motor and the operating 'connections between the motor and the engine member includmg a one-wayl clutch. p

2,7. An engine starter drive including a rotatable sha t, a two-part driving member whose two parts are mounted for independent tions, and operating means cooperatin with said device to shift said second part ongi-s tudinally and with said projections to restrain such device from rotation.

28. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, ya two-part driving member whose two parts are mounted for independent longitudinal movement thereon, one with respect to the other, said two parts having cooperatin engaging driving means whic are norma ly disconnected, the first of said parts being connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and the second being movable longitudinally on the shaft for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, said second part being Krovided with a ring having a series of seal ops, and means cooperating with said ring to shift said second part longitudinally and cooperating with said scallops to restrain such ring from rotation. I

29. An engine starter drive-including a motor driven shaft, a pinion and a sleeve, one l freely mounted on saidshaft and the other mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and for rotary movement therewith, cooperating clutch means on the sleeve and pinion, said clutch means being normally ineffective, andemeans for shifting said pinion and sleeve to move the pinion into engagement with a member of the enginel to be started and render said clutch means effective.

30. An engine starter drive including a motor driven shaft, a pinion and sleeve, one

freely mounted on said shaft and the other mounted on said shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and for rotary movement therewith, cooperating clutch means on the sleeve and pinion, said clutch means being normally disconnected, and manual means for shifting said pinion into engagement with a member of the engine to be started and effecting connection of said clutch means.

31, A rotatable shaft, a pinion and a sleeve, one freely mounted on said shaft and the other mounted on said shaft for longitudinal movement thereon and rotary ymovement therewith, cooperating clutch'means on said sleeve and pinion, said clutch means being normally disconnected, and means for first shifting said pinion into engagement with the n-engine starter drive including a' iso member of the engine to be started and then means being normally disconnected, and shifting said sleeve to effect connection of said means for independently shifting said sleeve clutch means. v and pinion on said shaft to shift said pinion 1o 32. An engine starter drive including a rointo engagement with a member of the engine 5 tatable shaft, a pinion freely mounted on said to be started and render said clutch means shaft, a sleeve splined on said shaft, clutch eeetive.

means on said pinion and'sleeve, said clutch VILLIAM L. MCGRATH.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,707,488. Granted April 2,` 1929, to

WILLIAM L. MCCRATH.

It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 91, claim 4, after the word "longitudinally" insert the words "separately and"; Iand that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the saine may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of April'. A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

